Driving in Cyprus - What Side Of The Road Do You Drive On In Cyprus Driving In Cyprus When it comes to driving in cyprus, the number one question we get asked is… What Side Of The Road Of The Road Do You Drive On In Cyprus? Like in the UK, in Cyprus, you drive on the left hand side of the right. What’s more, because of the influence of the UK in Cyprus, many of the road signs are similar, as are the traffic lights system. This makes driving in Cyprus much easier for tourists hiring a holiday car . Speed Limits Speed limits are similar to the UK, but you must bear in mind, in Cyprus (like mainland Europe) measurements are in kilometres. ie. Distances on road signs Speed limits are in KPH – kilometers per hour. Motorways The motorways in Cyprus join the main towns and there is good access from the villa near Larnaca . Around 10km from the main motorway, you have easy access to Agia Napa in the East, Nicosia (signposted Lefkosia) in the centre of Cyprus, and Limassol and Paphos to the South West.

Driving In Larnaca In Larnaca, there is a main road network but as you get into the town centre, there are many narrow roads and much of the traffic is one way. In the Turkish quarter there is a beautiful drive on a narrow road that edges onto the water (we love coming back to the villa down the road. [social_share/] Cyprus Information | Driving in Cyprus Cyprus Events Calendar Driving in Cyprus Driving in Cyprus is on the left side of the road with the steering wheel usually on the right. If a foreigner wants to drive in Cyprus they may do so using their valid International driving licence or National driving licence. This licence must be valid for the type of vehicle they wish to drive. Foreigners can get a Cyprus driving licence but in order to do so will need to change their national licence to a Cypriot licence or they can take the driving test. For €59,80 (for a person aged up to 70 years - after that age the licence must be re-newed at no additional cost) a Cyrpriot driving licence can be purchased. To hire an average sized saloon car it will cost approximately €45 per day in the summer period, this includes 'fully covered' insurance.

Throughout the rest of the year this car will cost about €23 a day. All the major towns and airports are connected by six or four lane motorways. Other towns and villages are connected by two lane, well surfaced roads. EU citizens are able to bring their own cars to Cyprus for six months without registering them. Import Duty: Contact the Customs & Excise Department for further details on bringing private cars into the Republic of Cyprus. North Cyprus Car Hire, Transportation in Northern Cyprus Speed Limit in Cyprus As the Island of Cyprus was once a British colony its traffic regulations are similar to England. Cars still drive on the left side of the street and as such its better to have a car with the steering wheel on the right side of the car. This is not only more comfortable for you as a driver but also increases the safety of you and other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists whom with you share the road. A good, inexpensive network of buses and mini-buses operates between all the main towns, in addition there are Dolmus (shared taxis) operating on the same routes. Taxis are widely available but do not carry a meter, however, there are standard journeys. Bus Services There are frequent bus services between the major towns of North Cyprus during the day.

Public transport becomes less scarce after 7pm and at weekends the services are less regular. Each bus route is leased privately from the Northern Cyprus government. The vehicles are different shapes and sizes but most commonly white mini buses. The destination is shown in the front windscreen. They are locally called dolmus. Either stand at a bus stop or simply flag the vehicle down anywhere along the road. There are no timetables but the buses are very frequent. This type of transport runs between the main towns and villages of Norhern Cyprus, however the buses do not go to many of the main tourist attractions. Taxi Services Rural Taxis are to be found at taxi stands only. The charges are reasonable, although there are no meters to display the fares. It is advisable to agree upon the fare with the driver before setting off. The system of sharing a taxi with another passenger traveling to the same destination (called Dolmus) also operates widely in North Cyprus. This is a 24 hours service of urban taxis provided in all towns. Taxis can be booked by phone or be hired from their base station. Urban taxis are provided with taximeters and charging commences upon the entrance of a passenger.

Car Rental While visiting Northern Cyprus car hire is recommended as there is plenty to see and do. There are many rent a car companies in North Cyprus with competitive rates. Most companies will offer a range of vehicles to rent at varying rates. You will need a driving license or International Driving Permit and will have to be over 21 years old (some car hire companies will loan you a vehicle at 18, although this is the exception rather than the rule). You can make considerable savings by booking in advance and the Internet provides the best starting point. Car Hire is available in all the main cities and also from Larnaca airport. If you have hired your car in the Turkish side, such as Kyrenia, you cannot drive across the border. However, you can drive up to a check point and walk across. Walking Mid summer is too hot for walking in Northern Cyprus and it is not at it’s most scenic during summer. Even the mountain temperatures are too high for most people. The best times are spring and early summer and again in October and November. There are many trails in the mountains, but some of them are difficult to follow. CyprusDriving | All about driving in Cyprus Welcome to Cyprus!

In the following pages we will give you information about driving on the roads of Cyprus. Although some of the items are specific to Cyprus, much of the driving advice will apply to wherever you are in the world. In Cyprus traffic drives on the left. Most traffic signs will be recognizable as they conform to EU standards. Speed limit signs are in Kilometers Per Hour (Kph) Information signs are in Greek and English, with some in Turkish. The standard of driving is generally poor. (See common driving problems section) All occupants of vehicles must wear seatbelts. Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited. (Hands free is permitted by law but not advisable as it impairs concentration). Crash helmets are required to be worn for all mopeds and motorcycles. Motorcycles must have daytime running lights illuminated. Highways have maximum speed limit of 100kph and a minimum speed limit of 6okph. The drink driving limit is now a lot lower than in the UK. Traffic laws in general are similar to those in the UK. The traffic law section has a list of main offences. Whatever the season, always carry with you a pair of sunglasses.

It is likely you will travel towards the sun at some stage of your travels, as the coast runs east / west. During the summer it is a good idea to carry some bottled water. Dehydration is a dangerous condition and adversely affects a driver to the detriment of road safety. The Cyprus Highway Code. The highway code is available in Greek only. The Highway Code is fully illustrated and can be downloaded here . There is also a powerpoint presentation which can be downloaded here . Much of it is similar to the UK Highway Code web version or download but there are some differences. Many of the differences between the two Codes are outlined within this site. The Highway Code can be used to assist a prosecution. I hope you find the site of interest whether you live on the island or are proposing a visit here. Have a pleasant trip and enjoy your driving. © 2015 – 2016, CyprusDriving. All rights reserved. Advanced North Cyprus Car Hire Blog - Pacific Rentals North Cyprus Car Hire Blog What Side Of The Road Are You Driving On? What Side Of The Road Are You Driving On? Taking a vacation in a foreign country is one of the most exciting things you and your family will ever experience.

When visiting North Cyprus , you will be able to see a land that is steeped in rich tradition and history. It is a land with pristine beaches, beautiful mountains to explore, meadows and vistas teaming with flora and fauna, small villages that are warm and inviting, and historical ruins that are amazing in their complexity. While visiting North Cyprus offers you a wide range of things to do – from swimming in the ocean waters to hiking up the Five Finger Mountains – there is one thing you will need to adjust to while visiting: driving on the left hand side of the road. If you are visiting North Cyprus from a country that drives on the right hand side of the road you will need to be aware of which side you are driving on at all times. The last thing you want is for you vacation to be ruined due to an accident that could’ve been preventable. Here is a mantra to keep in your head if you are visiting North Cyprus from a country other than the United Kingdom: ‘Left is right. Right is wrong.’ Sounds a little confusing, doesn’t it? If you keep it in your head, you will ensure that you stay on the proper side of the roadway.

When you pick up your vehicle from North Cyprus Car Hire, we will even remind you of this fact before you drive away. Your safety is important to us. It is, undoubtedly, a disconcerting feeling to drive on what seems to be the wrong side of the road. Not only do you drive in the left hand lane, the vehicle you are driving will have the steering wheel in the wrong place. When you get a car from North Cyprus Car Hire you will notice that the steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car. The gear shift in a manual transmission vehicle will be to your left. Yes, this is even more confusing if you are not used to it. We recommend that you hire an automatic transmission car if you’re not used to this set up. What else can you do when you are new to driving on the left hand side of the road? Here are some tips the staff at North Cyprus Car Hire have put together to help you get used to things being backwards on the road. Tip #1: When in North Cyprus, keep to the left The United Kingdom and North Cyprus are just a few of the countries where driving is done on the left hand side of the road. We cannot stress this enough.

The left lane in North Cyprus is your regular driving lane while the right lane is the passing lane when allowed. If you are not quite comfortable driving in the left lane, do not try to pass a slower car or truck ahead of you. Take your time and get used to driving on the opposite side of the road instead. Tip #2: General driving rules apply in North Cyprus but things come from the opposite directionMost of the standard driving rules that you learned in the country where you learned how to drive apply in North Cyprus. Many of them are common sense. While you may not understand all of the text on the road signs in the country, the pictures that accompany them are self-explanatory. Also, the signs along the road will be to your left along the roadside as that is the side you are driving on. Additionally, keep in mind that when you approach roundabouts and four way stops, the traffic is going to merge from the opposite side. Tip #3: Keep an eye on your speed at all timesAs if you do not have enough to worry about remembering to stay on the left hand side of the road, it is a good idea to keep to the speed limits when driving in North Cyprus.

You are going to be fighting your natural instinct to drive on the right hand side of the road, unless you are from the United Kingdom. By keeping your speed at the speed limit you give yourself the extra time your mind will need to make a decision when needed, especially on roads that are very unfamiliar to you. Tip #4: It’s okay to follow that crowdYou can get a lot of useful information about driving in North Cyprus by watching the other people that are driving. By paying attention to how other drivers exit parking lots, how they come out of junctions, and how they handle roundabouts you can learn how to negotiate the roads on the opposite side from what you are used to. However, if you should happen to be leaving the airport, try to follow the North Cyprus Car Hire employee that met you or a taxi cab so that you are following someone used to driving in the country. Tip #5: Take the time to get familiar with your North Cyprus Car Hire vehicle Remember us mentioning the gear shift in a manual transmission vehicle being to your left in a car where the steering wheel is on the right? This is why it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the vehicle you hire before driving away.

The brake and gas pedal will be in the same position – gas on the right, brake on the left – but you need to know where all of the other controls are located. It is better to take the extra time than try to find turn signals and windshield wipers before you hit the road. Tip #6: Know where the curb is at all times When you drive in a vehicle that has the steering wheel on the right, the bulk of your car is going to be to your left. You will have problems gauging distances and space. Once again, take your time driving, especially if you drive down any narrow streets, and be careful when you park your car. Additionally, remember that your car bulk is to your left when overtaking other vehicles. If you can keep these tips in mind when you drive in North Cyprus from a country other than the United Kingdom, you will have no problem at all. And getting used to the new driving situation gives you the chance to take your time and enjoy everything North Cyprus has to offer.

Permalink posted by Pacific Rent-A-Car @ 12:22 0 Comments Saturday, 26 December 2009 10 Tips for Driving During North Cyprus Winters Here in North Cyprus we are extremely lucky in that our winters consist mainly of heavy rainfall that can make our roads as slick as heavy snow in other parts of the world. Only the highest mountain elevations may see snow, and if they do it is a rare occurrence. Driving in the winter in North Cyprus can be a challenge, but when you invest in a car from North Cyprus Car Hire during the winter months, you are investing in a vehicle that has been checked out and prepared for the nasty weather. Driving in the winter anywhere around the world causes you to cope with road conditions that are less than favorable. Slick wet roads can be accompanied by fog, wet leaves and debris, glare from the head lights of other vehicles, wind and of course rain. Add to the weather hazards unfamiliarity with the roads, the vehicle and the possibility of suddenly driving on what you perceive as the ‘wrong side of the road’, winter travel in North Cyprus can turn into an adventure.

When you hire a car from North Cyprus Car Hire, we want you to have the best holiday possible. Here are a few tips to help you cope with winter driving in North Cyprus. Tip #1: Before setting out on your daily excursion, check the weather conditions It’s a good idea to be informed about the weather before you set out site seeing. While the weather where you are staying may be warm and sunny it could be something completely different a few hours away. While you may not believe the weather can be that drastic, it can, especially when you travel from the coast to the higher elevation. To be prepared for a change in the weather is to be forearmed to deal with driving conditions. Tip #2: Maintain a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles While you cannot control the driver behind you riding your bumper you can control your position on the road with the car in front of you. If the weather turns wet and rainy, slow down and maintain a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles. It takes longer to stop on a wet road than it does on a dry one. A car can easily hydroplane on a wet road and accidents can occur.

Tip #3: Consider driving in a lower gear if the road is slick Wet roads can get as slick as icy roads, especially if you are climbing a hill. Shift down into a lower gear to maintain connection with the road if you feel your vehicle slipping. Drive slower and take your time. Ease your foot off the gas and maintain a safe speed and distance. Tip #4: Keep your foot off the brake Hydroplaning on a wet road can be caused by driving too fast and hitting the brakes. You can easily lose control of the vehicle and start to slide as if you were sliding on ice or snow. When this happens, take your foot off the gas and turn into the slide. Never slam on the brakes. This can make the slide worse. If you are driving a manual transmission, put the car into neutral to help slow it down so you can regain control. Tip #5: Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination You are on holiday so there is absolutely no reason to be in a rush to go anywhere. When you make plans to visit someplace in North Cyprus make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get there. Even if the weather report says the day is going to be sunny and mild, it can change in a heartbeat.

After all, you are vacationing on an island and you never know what type of weather may come in off the Mediterranean. Tip #6: Use your headlights Because winter driving in North Cyprus consists of heavy rains you should always turn on your headlights so that other vehicles can see you and so you can see the road. Vision during rain storms becomes impaired, and when you add fog to the road conditions you need the extra light. If you are driving in foggy conditions, use fog lights if the car is equipped with them or keep your lights on the low setting. Putting your high beams on in fog will only cause the light to be reflected back at you. When the weather conditions improve and visibility is restored, turn the headlights off. Tip #7: Do not drive through flooded roads There are areas in North Cyprus that flood in the winter due to the heavy rains. No matter what you do, do not drive through high water and flooded roads. High water and flooded roads can cause the car to flood and the engine to stop, leaving you stranded. If the water is high enough and moving at a fast enough pace, it could sweep you off the road all together. Instead, turn around and look for an alternate route to where you are going.

Tip #8:Keep an emergency kit in your car and make sure the vehicle has plenty of fuel North Cyprus does not boast a lot of gas stations. Before you leave on your trip, make sure you have a full tank of fuel. It is also a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car that includes boots, warm clothing, blankets, a jacket that is highly visible and warm, and food and water. While North Cyprus Car Hire maintains their vehicles to ensure you do not get stranded, accidents can and do happen. It is better to be prepared and not need the emergency kit. Tip #9: Let someone know where you are going and when you have arrived If you are visiting friends and relatives in North Cyprus during the winter, let them know where you are going if you take a day trip site seeing. Call them and let them know you have arrived safely at your destination and then when you leave to return home or to your hotel. You can also alert the hotel staff as to where you are going and the approximate time you will return. This way if something happens they can alert the proper authorities that something could be wrong.

Tip #10: Keep North Cyprus Car Hire’s 24 hour service phone number with you at all times When you rent a car from us we will provide you with 24 hour road side service if the car breaks down or is in an accident. We will bring you a new car hire and make sure you get back to where you are staying safely. Permalink posted by Pacific Rent-A-Car @ 11:10 0 Comments Saturday, 1 August 2009 North Cyprus Car Hire Pacific Won’t Leave You Stranded Picture this: You and your family are taking a nice leisurely drive through the beautiful countryside of North Cyprus in your hired car when you suddenly hear this strange popping noise. The next thing you know there is smoke rolling out from under the hood and the engine dies. You manage to get the car coasted to a stop on the side of the road, but you are miles from the next town and you have no idea what is wrong with your hired car. After all, you’re not an experienced mechanic and you were assured by the car hire agent that the car was in perfect running condition. While your hired car may have been in perfect running conditions, things do happen that are beyond all of your control.

Cars do break down, but if you hired a car from Pacific Rent-A-Car , then you have absolutely nothing to worry about if your car suddenly goes on the fritz. We are here to help you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for things just like this. My team and I try very hard to make sure that our cars are inspected and undergo a rigorous check before we let you sit behind the wheel and use them for your vacation, but even we know that sometimes they just break down. This is why we provide all our Pacific customers with 24/7 roadside assistance. The service is free and you can reach us at 0090 542 852 1920. Write that number down and keep it with you when you hire a car from us. This way if your car breaks down during one of those road trips you and your family were trying to enjoy, all you have to do is call us. We will come with a tow truck and a new hire car for you. All you will have to do is transfer your belongings from the car that broke down to the new car we provide and go on your way. We will worry about bringing the other car back to our offices.

Additionally, if you should happen to get into an accident with one of our vehicles you should immediately call us. We care about our customers so the first thing we will do is ensure that you are all right, that no one was injured, and that matters are handled the way they need to be during this traumatic time. We will send out a team to collect the car and bring you a new one. If the accident is at night and you’d prefer to wait until morning to get your new car that is fine too. We’ll take you back to your lodgings and then deliver your new car to you in the morning so that you can relax after what happened. Remember, my team and I here at Pacific are here to serve you, our customers. If anything happens to your hired car while you are visiting us or if you think something could be wrong with it – say you hear a strange knocking sound – call us. We will be more than happy to check out the car and bring you a new one if you should break down. Our twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week number is 0090 542 852 1920.

Keep it with you and let’s hope you never have to use it Permalink posted by Pacific Rent-A-Car @ 11:43 0 Comments Monday, 24 November 2008 North Cyprus Safe Driving Tips No matter where you live or where you drive, following the rules of the road is imperative to staying safe. In North Cyprus, you drive on the left hand side of the road just as if you were driving in the United Kingdom. As a matter of fact, many of the laws that govern driving in North Cyprus are the same or similar to those in the U.K. The roads in North Cyprus have been improved over the years, and the new carriageway makes driving through the country a breeze. However, there are a few quirks that Cypriot’s have when they drive that you should be aware of. Standard driving safety rules apply, but here are few things that you should keep in mind to help you stay safe on the roads. •The speed limit in North Cyprus is a minimum of 65km to a maximum of 100km. Most drivers go about 120km and tailgating is a popular and very dangerous ‘sport’ over there.

Keeping it between the minimum and maximum speed limits is a good idea. •Seat belts and understanding the Highway Code is required. •Do not take the flashing of headlights as an invitation to turn or go first through an intersection. In North Cyprus it means ‘I’m coming through’. •Don’t always trust turn signal indicators as many times Cypriot drivers forget to turn it off. •The orange light at the traffic light before the red light usually indicates to Cypriot drivers that they should speed up and not slow down. •Try to keep your cool if you are in a narrow road in town and the car in front of you and one going the other way decide to stop and chat. This is part of the laid back Cypriot life. •Do not jump the lights even if you see someone else doing it. Cameras have been installed and you will get fined for doing it. •Beware making a right hand turn in North Cyprus if you are not used to driving on the left hand side of the road. •Watch out for cars going to the wrong way on a one way street as you’ll get the response of ‘I was only going one way’.

Permalink posted by Pacific Rent-A-Car @ 21:16 0 Comments Monday, 10 November 2008 Mobile Phone Use While Driving Is A No-No Using a mobile phone while driving in North Cyprus – and pretty much anywhere in the world lately – is prohibited by law unless you are using what is referred to as a ‘hands free’ unit. A hands free unit could be a headset plugged into the mobile phone that allows you to keep both hands on the wheel or even a blue tooth wireless headset that works the same way. Anything that allows you to drive down the road with both hands available is acceptable. You have probably seen many people driving down the road holding onto their mobile phone and chattering away without a care in the road. You could even be guilty of doing it yourself. While some countries want to ban mobile phone use in a vehicle all together because it is considered a distraction, they would have to consider banning listening to the radio or talking with other passengers as well. All of these things can be considered distractions, but trying to ban them is next to impossible. If you are going to use your mobile phone while driving, do it safely.

Try to only use it for a brief moment so that your concentration isn’t divided for very long. Always use a hands free method of talking. If you do not have a head set for your mobile phone, you could place your phone on speakerphone for the length of time your need to speak. Holding your mobile phone and speaking while driving is not worth the fine you will receive if you are pulled over by the authorities. Permalink posted by Pacific Rent-A-Car @ 09:35 0 Comments Saturday, 1 November 2008 Don’t Drink And Drive In North Cyprus The hazards of drinking and driving are known all over the world and it is one of the worst things anyone can do. If you are under the influence of alcohol, your judgment is impaired. This means that you could be driving too fast, driving too close to another car, even driving on the wrong side of the road especially if you’re not used to left hand side traffic patterns. If you are going to drink, make sure you have a designated driver or call a taxi instead of getting behind the wheel and causing injury or death to yourself or anyone else that could be with you or part of the accident.

In North Cyprus , it is illegal to drive a car, motorbike, or even pedal bike under the influence of alcohol. You are considered driving drunk if: • The breath/alcohol level equals or exceeds 39 microgram’s of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath • The blood/alcohol level equals or exceeds 90 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood (0,9 grams per liter) Use a designated driver. Or, better yet, you be the designated driver and enjoy your drink when you get back to your accommodations safe and sound. Permalink posted by Pacific Rent-A-Car @ 11:28 0 Comments Thursday, 23 October 2008 Driving During The Rainy Season In North Cyprus North Cyprus doesn’t usually get a lot of rain, and during the rainy season the 402mm it does get can make driving hazard. Even though this number is lower than the Mediterranean average, caution is best used when driving. Roads in North Cyprus tend to be very dusty thanks to the lack of rain throughout most of the year. When it does rain, however, the roads get slippery when the dust mixes with the rain.

Add to it the cooler weather, drivers in North Cyprus should be very careful driving during the rainy season, especially during the first rainfall. Permalink posted by Pacific Rent-A-Car @ 12:09 0 Comments Wednesday, 15 October 2008 The Importance Of Having A Baby Seat In Your Hired Car in North Cyprus Whenever you travel with a small child you always want to make sure that you have the proper child safety car seat with you for your infant to travel in, or make arrangements to have one provided for you at your destination. Today, many car hire companies will provide you with a child safety seat if you notify them ahead of time, usually when you make the vehicle reservations. In most countries, child safety seats are the rule and not the exception. When traveling to North Cyprus, all children under the age of 5 years old are required by law to sit in the back of the motor vehicles and be secured in a proper child safety seat. It is against the law to allow children 5 and under to travel in the front seat.

Children from age 5 to 10 may sit in the front only if they have been provided with a booster seat for use with the adult seatbelt, or if a child’s seatbelt has been fitted to them. Children 5 and under who are not properly secured in a child safety seat during an accident could get severely injured. As gruesome as it sounds, their little bodies could be thrown around the vehicle causing bone breaks, concussions, and other injuries far worse without even considering the fact that they could be killed. A child safety seat secures the infant and offers them a protective barrier of sorts. This is one of the reasons why parents are told to place the seat in the rear facing position and in the middle of the back seat. Additionally, if your child has graduated to a forward facing child seat, using the additional restraining strap helps keep the seat in place should the seat belt fail and the car seat come loose. If your car hire company cannot provide you with a child safety seat for the duration of your trip, then it is advisable to bring one with you. Most airlines will also accept them for use with their smaller passengers.

Permalink posted by Pacific Rent-A-Car @ 08:59 0 Comments Thursday, 12 June 2008 Driving in the South Cyprus For all drivers for car hire from Pacific Rent A Car in North Cyprus, including persons visiting on holiday, vacation, or business! Please be aware, that our Rental Agreements and Insurance Policies do not allow you to take your vehicle across the border to South Cyprus under any circumstances. Our Insurance Company has advised us that any vehicle reported as being driven outside the TRNC will be reported as stolen and immediate legal action will be invoked. When driving in the TRNC, you are covered under full insurance, allowing you to drive your vehicle without concern of liability, providing you remain within the restrictions of the Law and follow the rules of the road. Please note that Northern Cyprus operates a Zero tolerance drink driving law. If you would like to take the opportunity to visit South Cyprus during your stay, please contact our office where we will be able to advise you on the best travel options.

Permalink posted by Pacific Rent-A-Car @ 22:07 0 Comments Saturday, 17 November 2007 Excitment at Pacific Rent-A-Car We're excited to be the first car rental company in North Cyprus to start a blog. We want to be able to tell you about our latest special offers, new additions to our fleet and pass on useful information for your holidays in Northern Cyprus such as driving tips. The manager of the company, Mr. Berkan Ocal, will be writing most of the blogs so you will learn everything from first person quickly. Topics will include these subjects as listed alphabetically: announcements, cars, safety, service, tips, and travel. We welcome customer and visitor comments. Why do some countries drive on the left and others on the right? - World Standards Why do some countries drive on the left and others on the right? Last update: 7 February 2016 Google+175 History and origin About a 35% of the world population drives on the left , and the countries that do are mostly old British colonies. This strange quirk perplexes the rest of the world, but there is a perfectly good reason.

Click here for a world map and a full list of all countries of the world and the side of the road on which they drive. Right-handed knights preferred to keep to the left in order to have their right arm nearer to an opponent In the past, almost everybody travelled on the left side of the road because that was the most sensible option for feudal, violent societies. Since most people are right-handed, swordsmen preferred to keep to the left in order to have their right arm nearer to an opponent and their scabbard further from him. Moreover, it reduced the chance of the scabbard (worn on the left) hitting other people. Furthermore, a right-handed person finds it easier to mount a horse from the left side of the horse, and it would be very difficult to do otherwise if wearing a sword (which would be worn on the left). It is safer to mount and dismount towards the side of the road, rather than in the middle of traffic, so if one mounts on the left, then the horse should be ridden on the left side of the road. In the late 1700s, however, teamsters in France and the United States began hauling farm products in big wagons pulled by several pairs of horses.

These wagons had no driver’s seat; instead the driver sat on the left rear horse, so he could keep his right arm free to lash the team. Since he was sitting on the left, he naturally wanted everybody to pass on the left so he could look down and make sure he kept clear of the oncoming wagon’s wheels. Therefore he kept to the right side of the road. In Russia, in 1709, the Danish envoy under Tsar Peter the Great noted the widespread custom for traffic in Russia to pass on the right, but it was only in 1752 that Empress Elizabeth (Elizaveta Petrovna) officially issued an edict for traffic to keep to the right. In addition, the French Revolution of 1789 gave a huge impetus to right-hand travel in Europe. The fact is, before the Revolution, the aristocracy travelled on the left of the road, forcing the peasantry over to the right, but after the storming of the Bastille and the subsequent events, aristocrats preferred to keep a low profile and joined the peasants on the right.

An official keep-right rule was introduced in Paris in 1794, more or less parallel to Denmark, where driving on the right had been made compulsory in 1793. French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (1812) Later, Napoleon’s conquests spread the new rightism to the Low Countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), Switzerland, Germany, Poland and many parts of Spain and Italy. The states that had resisted Napoleon kept left – Britain, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Portugal. This European division, between the left- and right-hand nations would remain fixed for more than 100 years, until after the First World War. Although left-driving Sweden ceded Finland to right-driving Russia after the Finnish War (1808-1809), Swedish law – including traffic regulations – remained valid in Finland for another 50 years. It wasn’t until 1858 that an Imperial Russian decree made Finland swap sides. The trend among nations over the years has been toward driving on the right, but Britain has done its best to stave off global homogenisation.

With the expansion of travel and road building in the 1800s, traffic regulations were made in every country. Left-hand driving was made mandatory in Britain in 1835. Countries which were part of the British Empire followed suit. This is why to this very day, India, Australasia and the former British colonies in Africa go left. An exception to the rule, however, is Egypt, which had been conquered by Napoleon before becoming a British dependency. Japan was never part of the British Empire, but its traffic also goes to the left. Although the origin of this habit goes back to the Edo period (1603-1868), it wasn’t until 1872 that this unwritten rule became more or less official. That was the year when Japan’s first railway was introduced, built with technical aid from the British. Gradually, a massive network of railways and tram tracks was built, and of course all trains and trams drove on the left-hand side. Still, it took another half century till in 1924 left-side driving was clearly written in a law. When the Dutch arrived in Indonesia in 1596, they brought along their habit of driving on the left.

It wasn’t until Napoleon conquered the Netherlands that the Dutch started driving on the right. Most of their colonies, however, remained on the left as did Indonesia and Suriname. In the early years of English colonisation of North America, English driving customs were followed and the colonies drove on the left. After gaining independence from England, however, they were anxious to cast off all remaining links with their British colonial past and gradually changed to right-hand driving. Incidentally, the influence of other European immigrants, especially the French, should not be underestimated. The first law requiring drivers to keep right was passed in Pennsylvania in 1792, and similar laws were passed in New York in 1804 and New Jersey in 1813. Horse and carriage on the left side of the road in Vancouver, British Columbia (1880) Despite the developments in the US, some parts of Canada continued to drive on the left until shortly after the Second World War. The territory controlled by the French (from Quebec to Louisiana) drove on the right, but the territory occupied by the English (British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland) kept left.

British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces switched to the right in the 1920s in order to conform with the rest of Canada and the USA. Newfoundland drove on the left until 1947, and joined Canada in 1949. In Europe, the remaining left-driving countries switched one by one to driving on the right. Portugal changed in 1920s. The change took place on the same day in the whole country, including the colonies. Territories, however, which bordered other left-driving countries were exempted. That is why Macau, Goa (now part of India) and Portuguese East Africa kept the old system. East Timor, which borders left-driving Indonesia, did change to the right though, but left-hand traffic was reintroduced by the Indonesians in 1975. In Italy the practice of driving on the right first began in the late 1890s. The first Italian Highway Code, issued on 30 June 1912, stated that all vehicles had to drive on the right. Cities with a tram network, however, could retain left-hand driving if they placed warning signs at their city borders.

The 1923 decree is a bit stricter, but Rome and the northern cities of Milan, Turin and Genoa could still keep left until further orders from the Ministry of Public Works. By the mid-1920s, right-hand driving became finally standard throughout the country. Rome made the change on the 1 of March 1925 and Milan on 3 August 1926. Up till the 1930s Spain lacked national traffic regulations. Some parts of the country drove on the right (e.g. Barcelona) and other parts drove on the left (e.g. Madrid). On the 1st of October 1924 Madrid switched to driving on the right. When the Nazis marched into Austria on 12 March 1938, Hitler ordered all of Austria to switch to driving on the right. The break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire caused no change: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Hungary continued to drive on the left. Austria itself was something of a curiosity. Half the country drove on the left and half on the right.

Not surprisingly, the dividing line was precisely the area affected by Napoleon’s conquests in 1805. The Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Carinthia, as well as the western half of Salzburg switched to driving on the right between 1921 and 1935. When Germany annexed Austria in 1938, Hitler ordered the rest of Austria to make the switch overnight. The change threw the driving public into turmoil, because motorists were unable to see most road signs. In Vienna it proved impossible to change the trams overnight, so while all other traffic took to the right-hand side of the road, the trams continued to run on the left for several weeks. Czechoslovakia and Hungary, among the last states on the mainland of Europe to keep left, changed to the right after being invaded by Germany in 1939 and late 1944 respectively. Meanwhile, the power of the right kept growing steadily. American cars were designed to be driven on the right by locating the drivers’ controls on the vehicle’s left side.

With the mass production of reliable and economical cars in the United States, initial exports used the same design, and out of necessity many countries changed their rule of the road. Gibraltar changed to right-hand traffic in 1929 and China in 1946. Korea now drives right, but only because it passed directly from Japanese colonial rule to American and Russian influence at the end of the Second World War. Pakistan also considered changing to the right in the 1960s, but ultimately decided not to do it. The main argument against the shift was that camel trains often drove through the night while their drivers were dozing. The difficulty in teaching old camels new tricks was decisive in forcing Pakistan to reject the change. Nigeria, a former British colony, had been driving on the left with British imported right-hand-drive cars, but when it gained independence, it wanted to throw off its colonial past and shifted to driving on the right in 1972. After the Second World War, left-driving Sweden, the odd one out in mainland Europe, felt increasing pressure to change sides in order to conform with the rest of the continent.

The problem was that all their neighbours already drove on the right side and since there are a lot of small roads without border guards leading into Norway and Finland, one had to remember in which country one was. In 1955, the Swedish government held a referendum on the introduction of right-hand driving. Although no less than 82.9% voted “no” to the plebiscite, the Swedish parliament passed a law on the conversion to right-hand driving in 1963. Finally, the change took place on Sunday, 3 September 1967, at 5 o’clock in the morning. The day was referred to as Dagen H or, in English, H day. The ‘H’ stands for ‘Högertrafik’, the Swedish word for ‘right-hand traffic’. Samoan workers are repainting road markings in 2009 All traffic with private motor-driven vehicles was prohibited four hours before and one hour after the conversion, in order to be able to rearrange all traffic signs. Even the army was called in to help. Also a very low speed limit was applied, which was raised in a number of steps. The whole process took about a month.

After Sweden’s successful changeover, Iceland changed the following year, in 1968. On 2 April 1972 Nigeria swapped sides and Ghana did the same thing in 1974. In the 1960s, Great Britain also considered changing, but the country’s conservative powers did everything they could to nip the proposal in the bud. Furthermore, the fact that it would cost billions of pounds to change everything round was not much of an incentive… Eventually, Britain dropped the idea. Today, only four European countries still drive on the left: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. On 7 September 2009 the Independent State of Samoa (not to be confused with American Samoa !) became the third country ever to change from right- to left-hand driving. Samoa had been driving on the right since it had become a German colony in the early 20th century, although it was administered by New Zealand after the First World War and gained independence in 1962. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi wanted to swap sides to make it easier to import cheap cars from left-hand driving Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Click here for a full list of all countries of the world and the side of the road each of them drives on. Click here to find out why the steering wheel is on the left side of the car in right-driving countries and vice versa. Languages Driving Tips in Cyprus - Sixt rent a car Driving Tips in Cyprus - Sixt rent a car Home >> Driving Tips >> Driving Tips in Cyprus Driving in Cyprus varies from the UK so in order for you to travel safely Sixt recommends that you look at our guide for driving tips and advice. Rules & Regulations Here are some rules and driving tips when driving in Cyprus that you need to know of before you start your journey: In Cyprus, they drive on the left hand side of the road and over take on the right. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory for front and rear seat occupants. Children under five cannot travel as a front seat passenger. Children over five and under ten must use a suitable child restraint system. Eating and drinking whilst driving is prohibited. Drink driving - The maximum legal level of alcohol in the blood is 0.049 per cent. Persons suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol (0.05 per cent and over) may be subjected to a blood test.

Vehicle lights must be used between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise. Spotlights are prohibited. Smoking in a car with a person present that is under 16 years is prohibited; a fine is imposed for anyone who does not comply. Speaking on a mobile phone whilst driving is a serious offence. All national driving licences accepted. Minimum age for driving is 18 years of age. Third-party motor insurance is compulsory. Fuel: LPG is not available. Unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel is available. No leaded petrol (lead substitute additive available). It is forbidden to carry petrol in a can. It is prohibited to use the horn between 2200 and 0600 hours, and in the vicinity of hospitals. Spiked tyres and snow chains are permitted on mountain roads in winter. Please make sure that you are aware of all the road regulations before you start driving in Cyprus.

Speed Limits Standard legal limits when driving in Cyprus, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers are: In built-up areas: 31 mph (50 km/h) or 40 mph (65 km/h) depending on the road Outside built-up areas: 49 mph (80 km/h) 62 mph (100 km/h) on motorways. Minimum speed on motorways: 40 mph (65 km/h). Things to Bring Along International Driving Customs: Which side of the road - Detective Kevin Coffey Which side of the road do they drive on? 1. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY The question of which side of the road people drive on in various countries arises from time to time. This fairly comprehensive list has been compiled by various people over the years; it was obtained around 1991 two gentlemen named Brian Lucas and Bernd Wechner, along with many other people have been updating it ever since. Mr. Lucas wrote this in Rec-Travel and could be very useful if you plan on traveling to a country which you may not know the driving customs and right-of -way.

To quickly deal with the single most frequently asked question on this topic, you don't have to worry about what side to drive on in the Chunnel (the tunnel between England and France, under the English Channel), because you don't drive in the Chunnel. When you arrive at the terminal, you drive your car onto a train car, and the train takes you across. I don't know much about the reasons for choosing one side of the road over another, and am looking for more information about the reasons for the original choice and the motivations for changing sides. In Europe and the Americas, it seems that left-hand driving was originally the general rule; this was legislated by papal decree in or about 1300. France changed to the right under Robespierre as a gesture of independence from the popes, and when Napoleon later conquered much of Europe, the conquered countries were made to change sides and they never went back. The United States of America drove on the left when they were British colonies, and gradually changed sides of the road beginning in 1792.

Driving preferences of most countries which have been colonies of European countries can be traced back to their colonial masters -- for example, most former British colonies drive on the left, with the notable exception of the USA. I have been told that the authoritative reference on this subject is a book called The Rule of the Road, by an author named Kincaid. The book is out of print but you may be able to find it in libraries. I have not read it myself yet, but I am trying to obtain a copy. 2. THE LIST R Drive on the right-hand side of the road (and mostly the driver sits on the left side of the car). L Drive on the left-hand side of the road (and mostly the driver sits on the right side of the car). R, L As above, but unconfirmed reports, unsure, or guesses. ? Unknown to me so far. 0 Pretty much uninhabited or no convention established. R Afghanistan L Zimbabwe 3.

BORDER CROSSINGS A related question, of course, is "If (some country) and (some other country) have a land border, how do drivers switch sides when they cross the border?" This is not such a great puzzle as it might seem, because in general, one has to stop at a border crossing anyway. In most cases, it seems that you drive into the customs area, park your vehicle for inspection, and then when you leave via the other side of the parking lot, you simply make sure you are on the correct side of the road. Here are a few reports from the scene... Andrew Myles: It was not a problem at the only border I have been to like this (Zaire -Uganda). The traffic was slow and there was very little of it. There was just a sign reminding you to swap sides. Lynn Garry Salmon: The border crossing from China (where they drive on the right) to Pakistan (where they drive on the left) merely has a sign at the side of the road that says "Entering Pakistan, Drive Left" and for those going the other way "Entering China, Drive Right". agsmith@matai.vuw.ac.nz: Usually you don't drive straight through a border post.

The only place I've crossed a land border where the side of the road for driving changes is between Afghanistan and Pakistan. We drove into a car park (using the right hand side) and after the border formalities, drove out using the left hand side. Douglas Clark: Both Hong Kong and Macao drive on the left and China on the right. In each case, now, when you cross the border, you do so through a car park/customs area and merely exit onto the correct side of the road. 4. OTHER INTERESTING TIDBITS The USA once drove on the left. Most people in the USA don't realize this, but the United States of America drove on the left when they were settled by Europeans -- they were, after all, British colonies and of course adopted British driving practices. The native Americans already on the continent presumably either had no preference established and/or were not involved in the decision. I have been told that the USA began to switch to right-hand driving state by state beginning in 1792 I don't know why the change was made, but I will continue to gather more information.

Napoleon marched on the right Mark Brader writes: "...a Toronto Star article of October 21, 1991... notes that in Europe, left-side driving was once the general rule, but it was promulgated by the popes; Robespierre changed France to the right, apparently to weaken papal influence over everyday lives. Then Napoleon's armies also marched on the right, and other countries that he invaded changed perforce." Others have stated that the keep-left rule become law across Europe because of a papal decree around 1300 that on all roads leading to Rome, pilgrims must keep to the left side of the road. Changing from one side to the other Trevor Jordan says, "The Channel Isles drove on the right, under German influence, in the early 1940s just as the Falkland Islands did, under Argentine influence, in the early 1980s... the influence of conquerors did not end with Napoleon but has not generally been as great or as permanent." Malcolm Roe writes, "Sweden changed from driving on the left to driving on the right in the 1960s. This, of course, was because all its neighbors drove on the right.

I remember the newspaper reports of this happening. The roads were completely closed, apart from emergency vehicles, for a day or two while changes were made to road signs etc. I think this was over a weekend. Then a very low speed limit was applied which was raised in a number of steps. The whole process, if I remember correctly, took about a month. Everyone knew that it was going to happen several years before and started to buy left hand drive vehicles so, by the time the change occurred, many of the vehicles had been replaced. Mark Brader notes that until the 1920s, the 10 present Canadian provinces were split 5-5 between driving on the right and the left. Others have noted that Ontario switched from left to right in the 1820s, and B.C. and the Maritimes switched from left to right in the 1920s.Those who really have it tough Almost always, in countries where one drives on the right-hand side of the road, the cars are built so that the driver sits on the left-hand side of the car.

Conversely, driving on the left-hand side of the road usually implies that the driver's seat is on the right-hand side of the car. The driver generally sits on the side of the car that is nearest the centerline. However, this is not universally true. Joe Flake notes that in 1983, he visited St Thomas (US Virgin Islands) and found that one drives on the left side of the road, but the cars are all US-standard, with the driver sitting on the left-hand side of the car. "Confusing enough to be on the 'wrong' side, but passing on the narrow roads was a real treat. You really depend on the passenger! Ease out across the center line and get either approval or a loud 'NO!' from the passenger." Malcolm Roe says that in Cyprus, both north and south, they drive on the left. "However, because of the political isolation of the North, vehicles are imported from Turkey, mostly second hand. As a consequence the same situation has arisen as in the US Virgin Islands: i.e., left hand drive cars driven on the left." What about trains? It is the signaling equipment that determines whether a double track railway goes on the left or on the right.

Modern main-line railways are usually equipped to allow traffic at full speed in either direction on either track, and in some cases it is normal to use both tracks for trains in the same direction simultaneously. But on tracks with older signaling equipment, as well as on lines with heavy traffic such as metros and suburban traffic, each track is almost always used in one direction only. Most railway authorities then have a general rule. (Jens Brix Christiansen) Specific rules for some European countries: Left: Sweden, UK, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy Right: Norway, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands Most of the time, countries pick one side or the other for their trains, there are often exceptions, sometimes for reasons which are unknown, at least to us, and sometimes for historically interesting reasons. In France (where cars keep to the right), most trains run on the left, but the Paris Metro runs on the right, as does one line of the RER commuter system (which is run by the city transit system (RATP) rather than the national railway, SNCF). (Mark Brader) Russia's exception is that while trains in most of the country run on the right, the trains on the line between Moscow and Ryazan run on the left.

This line was designed and built by British engineers. (Sergey Fedosov) Most trains in Britain operate on the left, like road traffic, but there are a number of short sections on the London Underground where for one reason or another they operate on the right. (Mark Brader) In the USA and Canada, trains generally keep to the right, with one interesting exception: the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, running on the left. Two reasons have been suggested for the C&NW's left-hand operation. One possibility is that its original construction was financed by British capital, which influenced the track plans. The other is that the stations, oriented for inbound traffic, were arbitrarily placed all on one side of the tracks when the line was single-track, and when the second track was added it was impractical to change all the station alignments so the outbound track ended up on the left. (Don Howard, Eric Zimmerman) In Korea the trains drive on the left, presumably because the system was built by the Japanese when Korea was a Japanese colony. The Seoul subway, on the other hand, was constructed beginning in the 1980s with French aid; by that time, Korean and French drivers were both driving on the right, so the subway does too...

except for one subway line which connects directly to the National Railway, and therefore must be on the left. "It can be confusing when deciding which side of a concourse to board a train," says Douglas Clark Rui Gustavo Crespo notes that where neighboring countries run their trains on opposite sides of the track, trains must switch sides at the border. "In Netherlands trains run on the right, but in Belgium they move on the left. Last Sunday I traveled between the two countries. At Roosendal (a Dutch city close to the border), the train stopped at the railway station and had to wait for permission to move to the left track: from then, although we were still in Netherlands, our train was conducted on the left." And boats? Rob Dvorak writes (20 Feb 1997) "It's nice to know all shipping and boating is keep to the right. Even in the GB intercostal waterways and canals it is keep to the right. I wonder how the British like that?" 5.

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION Analysis by Bernd Wechner, b.wechner@aitec.edu.au, November 1996: Having often encountered the implicit assumption that everyone but England and some of her colonies drive on the right side of the road, I compiled from the above list, a quick table of populations to provide a clue as to just how evenly the sides are represented. As it turns out, some 4 billion people drive right, and 2 billion drive left (when they drive at all that is). So a goodly third of the world drives on the left. Right Side Drivers Driving in Cyprus | RAC Drive Driving in Cyprus Essentials Driving licence Visitors riding or driving in Cyprus must have reached the minimum age required to drive/ride a vehicle of equivalent category even if they are qualified to drive at a lower age in their country of residence. You must be 18 or over to drive a private vehicle in Cyprus. All valid national driving licences are recognised. Important documents Vehicles from the UK may be imported into Cyprus for up to 6 months in any period of 12 months.

When driving in Cyprus the following documents should be carried: Full, valid driving licence* Proof of Insurance (third party or above) Proof of ID (Passport) Proof of ownership (V5C Certificate) While driving in Cyprus you are required by law to carry the following items. Hefty on-the-spot fines can be issued for failing to carry specific items: Headlamp beam deflectors (Depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually) Warning triangle (Any motor vehicle travelling in Cyprus, regardless of country of registration, must carry two warning triangles) Motorcyclists (Safety helmets are compulsory for drivers and passengers of mopeds and motorcycles) Rules of the road & regulations Rules of the road Overtaking & passing Drive on the left; overtake on the right. Overtake on the right, except when the vehicle to be overtaken is turning to the right. Priority At junctions where there are no signs, drivers must give way to vehicles coming from the right. Warning of approach Unnecessary use of the horn is prohibited. It is also prohibited to use a horn between 2200 hours and 0600 hours and in the vicinity of hospitals.

Towing An inventory of the contents of a caravan or camper van is required on temporary importation. Maximum length of car + caravan: 12m Snow chains The use of spiked tyres and snow chains is permitted on mountain roads in winter. Seat belts The use of seat belts is compulsory on the front and rear seats of cars. Travelling with children Children under five may not under any circumstances sit in the front passenger seat. Children from 5 to 10 years of age may occupy the front passenger seat if an appropriate child seat belt has been fitted. Speed limits Built-up areas 50 In certain areas certain speed limits are imposed. On motorways there is a minimum speed of 65 km/h. Radar detectors are prohibited. If they are part of a satellite navigation system they must be de-activated. Penalties On-the-spot fines The Cyprus Police are empowered to impose fines on the spot in cases of violation of traffic regulations. Traffic fines are not paid to the officer at the roadside. Parking Parking regulations Parking regulations conform to international practice. Where a double yellow line is painted parallel to the kerb, parking and waiting are prohibited at all times.

If the yellow line is single, loading and unloading is allowed but parking is prohibited at all times. Enforcement of parking regulations An on-the-spot fine of €85 may be levied for illegal parking. The police do not clamp or tow away illegally parked vehicles. Disabled parking access There are reserved parking spaces for the disabled which are sign posted. These may also be used by foreign disabled motorists provided they are in possession of the blue badge. Traffic lights The international three-colour system of traffic lights is used in Cyprus. Drink/drug driving The maximum legal level of alcohol in the blood is 0.05%. Alcohol The police are empowered to carry out random breath tests. Persons suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol may be subjected to a blood test. Roads & fuel Some petrol stations accept payment by credit card. Useful guides and maps Michelin Motoring Atlas: Europe Source: All information in this document is sourced from the AIT (Alliance Internationale de Tourisme) & the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) and, to the best of the RAC’s knowledge, is correct at the time of publication (May 2016).

Information and advice for British nationals travelling and living in Europe , following the result of the EU referendum. There is a general threat from terrorism. See Terrorism Around a million British nationals visit Cyprus every year. Most visits are trouble-free. You can use ATMs, debit and credit cards as normal. If you need to contact the emergency services call 112. Cyprus has a strict zero tolerance towards drugs. See Local Laws and Customs Driving standards are poor. You should drive with great care. See Road travel Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel. British High Commission Nicosia Office: British High Commission Nicosia Street Address: Alexander Pallis Street Postal Address : PO Box 21978 ZIP Code: 1587

Question: On which side of the road do motorists drive in Cyprus?
Answer: Left